New to GPS, unsure about POI's

Typically the custom POIs at POI Factory will be more accurate and up to date. And of course, in most cases, they are categorized better for ease of use.
You can also set them up to alert you when you get close.

on this site that you will never have from the manufacturer. Take a gander and the POI file alpha list -

http://www.poi-factory.com/poifiles/alpha

Also, if you think of some places you don't see that you think others will enjoy to visit, then create your own POI file and submit it for the group. Why not become addicted to this site like the rest of us.

POI files from the "Factory" as well as others are typically much more detailed and comprehensive meaning that they might list ALL locations of a particular store or attraction than you might find in the pre-programmed list on your unit. As mentioned, they are often more accurate, too.

You can use them based on your interests such as "Breweries" or "Wineries" or your favorite eatery that might not even be in the pre-installed list on you unit.

There are some good discussions on this site about how different folks use the Custom POI files. Good luck!

While it might seem that way, not ALL categories are in there......and the lists sometimes aren't all that accurate.

A couple of examples: Looking for one business, I ended up in the middle of a residential neighborhood. Those HUGE POI lists come, in part, from a business directory like Dunn and Bradstreet. Sometimes the screening isn't too good and the database ends up with the owner or manager's home address instead of the store.

Then businesses move and close. My Magellan still shows lots of K-marts that aren't there anymore. It also shows many WalMarts that have moved down the road a piece.

Having said THAT......I have decided that I will live with the built-in lists, since you would have to keep the lists here updated too from time to time.

If you have a specialized interest, the lists here are GREAT. If just any old resturant will do, not so much.

you wont find the red light or speed cameras in the standard offering either.

I was actually thinking the same thing, but as others have said, a lot has to do with the accuracy of the POIs loaded in the GPS. Currently I have the latest and greatest maps/POIs, but there are still way too many errors in the database for me.